Industry, media figures among crash fatalities

(CNN) --Several high-profile members of the technology, entertainment and political commentary communities were among those killed aboard hijacked airliners in Tuesday's terrorist attacks.

David Angell

Writer-producer David Angell counted "Cheers," "Wings" and "Frasier" among his major television projects.

David Angell, creator and executive producer of NBC's hit comedy "Frasier," was one of the 56 passengers on American Airlines Flight 11 that hit the World Trade Center. The plane was bound from Boston to Los Angeles. Angell's brother informed NBC of the death. David Angell was 54.

A native of West Barrington, Rhode Island, David Angell worked in engineering and insurance before selling a script to producers of "Annie Flynn" in 1977.

In 1983, Angell became a member of the "Cheers" staff of writers and two years later began working with co-supervising producers Peter Casey and David Lee.

The three went on to form Grub Street Productions, creating and producing "Wings" in 1990 (the show ran for seven seasons) and "Frasier" in 1993.

According to Paramount's television division Web site, Angell, Casey and Lee were nominated for a total 37 Emmys over the years, winning 24 of them. Their Emmy track record includes an unprecedented streak of five consecutive Emmys for outstanding comedy series.

Barbara Olson

Barbara Olson called her husband Solicitor General Ted Olson before the airliner she was on crashed into the Pentagon.

Barbara Olson, a conservative commentator and lawyer, was on American Airlines Flight 77 that crashed into the Pentagon.

Her husband, Solicitor General Ted Olson, said she called twice by cell phone to tell him the Los Angeles-bound plane she was on was being hijacked.

Ted Olson told CNN his wife said all passengers and flight personnel, including the pilots, were herded to the back of the plane by the hijackers. The only weapons she mentioned they were carrying were knives and cardboard box cutters.

She said she felt nobody was in charge and asked her husband to tell the pilot what to do. Ted Olson notified the justice command center immediately.

He told CNN that his wife originally had been booked on a Monday flight but delayed her departure because Tuesday was his birthday and she wanted to be with him in the morning.

Barbara Olson had appeared frequently as a commentator on CNN.

Edmund Glazer

MRV Communications Inc. -- which focuses on optical components and network infrastructure systems -- said American Airlines confirmed Edmund Glazer, 41, CFO and vice president of finance and administration, was on American Airlines Flight 11.

The Boeing 767, bound for Los Angeles from Boston, was the first of two aircraft to hit the World Trade Center.

Glazer called his wife just before boarding the flight, said Anne-Marie Frisch, an employee of MRV. Frisch said he is survived by his wife and 4-year-old son.

"This is a very sad day for MRV and for all who knew Edmund," said Noam Lotan, president and CEO of MRV. "He was a true friend and his kindness and devotion will be deeply missed."

Daniel Lewin

Daniel Lewin, co-founder and chief technology officer at Akamai Technologies Inc., is said by his company to have died Tuesday aboard American Airlines Flight 11. He was 31.

Lewin's presence on the plane and death were confirmed to CNN by George H. Conrades, Akamai chairman and CEO.

"Danny was a wonderful human being," Conrades said. "He will be deeply missed by his many friends at Akamai. Our thoughts and prayers are with Danny's family, friends and colleagues during this time of national tragedy and personal loss."

In July, Lewin was named one of the Top 10 people of the Enterprise Systems Power 100, a list of industry leaders chosen for their effect on the IT (information technology) landscape and for their ability to influence the industry's direction.

A fourth jetliner, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in Pennsylvania, killing all 45 people on board. That flight departed from Newark bound for San Francisco.